Ski binding with brake

ABSTRACT

A binding ( 1 ) holds a ski boot ( 2 ) on a cross-country ski ( 3 ). A pair of jaws ( 5   a,    5   b ) in a retaining position (P 1 ) engage and pivotally retain a front end of the boot and in a liberated position (P 2 ) free the boot from the binding. A ski brake ( 4 ) includes braking elements ( 4   a,    4   b ) which pivot between a braking position (PF) and a retracted position (PE). Inserting the boot into the binding and moving the jaws to the retaining position locks the brake elements in the retracted position. Opening the jaws to the liberated position to release the boot releases the brake elements to assume the braking position.

BACKGROUND

The present innovation concerns an improvement for bindings for skis intended for the practice of cross-country skiing. It concerns more particularly a binding to hold the front end of the boot including a ski brake.

Cross-country skiers who climb slopes by their own means, without mechanical lifts, have special ski bindings. These bindings are such that during the climb the boot is retained on the ski around a transverse to pivot axis to allow the skier to rotate his boot by raising the heel. During the descent the bindings include a system for locking the pivot against raising the heel, for allowing the skier to ski normally as if the bindings were traditional alpine ski bindings.

Already known is the device disclosed in the European patent EP 2 415 504. But this device presents a number of drawbacks, like having to manipulate the brake manually, and like the relative complexity and fragility of its mechanism.

The present invention is intended to solve the drawbacks of the previous device and thus solve the needs of the users.

For this purpose the bindings of the invention, intended to retain a ski boot on a ski, include two side jaws arranged laterally significantly face-to-face, each of the jaws being pivotally mounted around a longitudinal axis to have at least two positions, one position for retaining the boot and one position for releasing the boot, the jaws cooperating with side zones of the boot in the retaining position, in order to define a transverse pivot axis for the boot, the transverse vertical plane defining a front zone and a rear zone, while the brake of the ski is pivotally mounted around a transverse axis for taking two positions, namely a braking position, and a retracted position, is characterized in that the brake pivot axis is located in the rear zone.

SUMMARY

According to a complementary feature, the brake includes a pedal powered by the boot, while a locking protrusion maintains the brake in its retracted position.

According to another additional feature, each of the jaws has the form of a right angle pivot, constituted by a retaining arm extending substantially horizontally and extended upward by an operating arm.

Also the moving of the brake from its retracted position to its braking position is done by means of an elastic device associated with a sliding piece, which is connected to the brake, including at least a locking protrusion or lug which cooperates in the position of retaining the boot with the operating arm, to lock the brake in its retracted position.

Note that the locking protrusion cooperates in one embodiment with the end of at least one piston of each of the operating arms.

According an another embodiment, the lever cooperates with the locking stop of the sliding piece to ensure the maintenance of the brake in its retracted position, such that the jaw supported by the rear operating arm abuts against the wall of the projection of the sliding piece.

It should be noted that the brake is mounted in an articulated manner on a base plate such that the pedal is connected to the sliding part through of a rod, said pedal being configured to cooperate with the boot of the user.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge description that will follow next to annexes drawings are given that non-limiting examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a representation of a ski equipped with the binding of the invention, the boot is held by its front end permitting the lifting of the heel.

FIG. 2 is a representation of the ski, the boot has been released by the binding for example during releasing.

FIGS. 3 to 8 are illustrations representing the binding of the invention in its position for releasing the boot, the brake being in its position active braking.

FIG. 3 is an external side view.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along vertical section A-A in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a top view.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the base plate with the brake.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view along to a transverse cross-section at the level of the restraining jaws.

FIGS. 9 to 14 are images representing the binding of the invention in the boot holding position, the brake in the inactive retracted non-braking position.

FIG. 9 is an exterior side view.

FIG. 10 is a vertical section according to A-A in FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a top view.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view according to a cross-section made at the level of the retaining jaws.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the base plate with the brake.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are partial illustrations in perspective an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view with the brake in the position of active braking.

FIG. 16 is a view with the brake in the position of non-braking.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are views illustrating another alternate embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of another alternate embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the binding with its brake and its blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The binding (1) of the invention is a binding intended to retain a ski boot (2) on a ski for the practice of cross-country skiing (3), which includes a ski brake (4). The binding is such that during climbing the boot (2) is retained on the ski (3) around a transverse pivot axis (X, X′) to allow the skier to rotate its boots by raising the heel (S), as shown in FIG. 1, the brake to be retracted and remained in this position for not interfere with progression. During the descent at a trigger caused by the release of the boot from the ski which must be braked, the ski brake is deployed as is illustrated in FIG. 2. During the progression of the skier downhill, it is understood that the brake is in the retracted position, while the heel of the boot of the skier can be raised during progression uphill without impact on the retracted position of the brake that remains in this position.

The binding carries a plane of general reference (1) of a vertical plane of general symmetry (P) and includes two side jaws (5 a, 5 b) for retaining the boot, said jaws being symmetric in relation to the plane of symmetry (P).

Thus, each of the jaws (5 a, 5 b) is pivotally mounted to a support plate (6) around a longitudinal pivot axis (7 a, 7 b).

By pivoting around their respective axis, each of jaws can take at least two positions, i.e. a position of retention (P1) according to which, the jaws are closed and cooperate with the boot of the skier and a liberated position (P2) such that the jaws are pivoted towards the outside to be in position ready for the entry.

Each of the jaws presents itself in the form of a square pivot. Thus each of the jaws (5 a, 5 b) includes a first arm (8 a, 8 b) extending upwards (HA) that is called a retaining arm, which is extended substantially square, by a second arm (9 a, 9 b), that is called the operating arm of the jaws, extending substantially horizontally towards the plane of symmetry (P). It should be noted that the pivot axis (7 a, 7 b) of each of the jaws is located at the level of joining between the first arm (8 a, 8 b) and the second arm (9 a, 9 b).

It should be noted that the upper end of each retaining arm (8 a, 8 b) includes a projection or lug (10 a, 10 b) extending towards the plan of general symmetry (P). Each of the projections (10 a, 10 b) is intended in their retaining position to engage in corresponding receptacles (100) made in the lateral edges of the front of the sole of the boot of the user. Thus, the cooperation of the projections with corresponding receptacles of the boot constitute a pivot axis (X, X′) allowing the user to lift the heel of his boot after release of the latter.

Each of the operating arms (9 a, 9 b) of the jaws (5 a, 5 b) is extended towards the plane (P) by an elastic system including an end of a piston (12 a, 12 b) biased by at least one spring (13 a, 13 b). It should be noted that each of the pistons are mounted to slide to move transversely against the action of the spring. For this purpose each of the end pistons (12 a, 12 b) is carried by two rods (14 a, 14 b) sliding received in the operating arms (9 a, 9 b) which is more particularly visible on FIGS. 7 and 13. Note also that the pistons end (12 a, 12 b) cooperate with the other. Thus one of the end pistons includes a projecting end (15) which cooperates with a corresponding housing (16) of the end of the other piston. The cooperation of the two end pistons biased by springs constitute with the pivot axis of the jaws a “toggle” that allows for stability of the two positions (P1) and (P2) of the jaws (5 a, 5 b).

The binding also includes a control assembly (17) for the release of the boot, including forcing the passage of the jaws from their retaining position to their release position. The control assembly (17) includes two levers (18, 19), namely a first control lever (18) and a second control lever (19). The first control lever (18) is articulated on a projection of the support plate (6) around a transverse pivot pin (21), while the second lever (19) is articulated on the first lever around a pivot pin (21 a). It should be noted that the pivot pin of the first lever is located in front of the jaws.

The first lever (18) is a lever for the first type including a rear control arm (18 a) extending from its pivot axis rearward (AR) in the direction of the jaws (5 a, 5 b) and more specifically to the jaws operating arm, and a front control arm (18 b) extending from its pivot axis forward (AV).

The second control lever (19) articulated on the front arm (18 b) of the first control lever (18) is intended to facilitate the pivoting the first control lever (18). Note that the first control lever (18) takes three positions, a first position corresponding to the position of the open jaws, a second position corresponding to the position of the closed jaws and a third position in which the lever is locked in this position thus locking the opening of the jaws. Also the second control lever (19) which extends the first of the levers cooperates with this latest by cooperation of a transverse pin (23) and slot (24). Note that the pin (23) is supported by the second lever (19) and cooperates with the slot (24) in the first lever (18). In this manner its pivot pin (21 a) is disposed on the front control arm (18 b) of the first lever (18).

Note that the rear control arm (18 a) of the first control lever (18) includes a jaw (25) to cooperate with the end pistons (12 a, 12 b) of each of the operating arms (9 a, 9 b) connected with the retaining arms (8 a, 8 b). The jaw includes a lower leg (25 a) and an upper leg (25 b) which defines an activation recess (25 c) in which the end pistons (12 a, 12 b) of each of the operating arms (9 a, 9 b) are engaged.

According to the invention the ski binding (1) includes a ski brake (4) intended to stop the ski (3) after opening of the binding and release the boot, as well as after a voluntary release.

The brake (4) is includes a metal bracket pivotally mounted on the base plate around a transverse axis (Z, Z′), in order to take two positions, a position releasing the brake (PL) that is assumed when the boot is no longer retained, and a retracted position (PE) allowing the practice of skiing when the boot is retained, i.e. during the ascent and during the descent.

The brake (4) includes two side spades (4 a, 4 b), and in the released position of the brake (PL) the two spades (4 a, 4 b) are rotated downward on each side of the ski to place projects below the lower surface (26) of the ski. In the retracted position (PE) the two spades (4 a, 4 b) are placed substantially horizontally or at least not extend below the bottom surface of the ski as shown in the FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 12. It should be noted that the pivot axis (Z, Z′) of the brake (4) is located in the rear zone (ZAR) at the back of the jaws (4 a, 4 b) that is to say the area located at the rear of the transverse vertical plane (T) passing through the axis (X, X′). In other words the pivot axis (Z, Z′) of brake (4) is located on the other side of the transverse vertical plane (T) by the back of to the operating assembly (17).

By definition forward (AV) is oriented towards the ski tip (50) and rearward (AR) is oriented towards the heel (51) of the ski (3).

It should be noted that the brake (4) is carried by a base plate (27) disposed under the support plate (6).

Also the side spades (4 a, 4 a) of the brake (4) are extended by brake pedal branches (41 a, 41 b) connected to the pedal (42) on which the boot of the skier is supported when received, which puts the brake in the retracted position (PE) and locks it in this position, as this will be described below, automatically without manual intervention by the user.

According to a feature of the invention the brake (4) whose pivot axis (Z, Z′) is disposed rearward of the transverse plane (T), is that the foot pedal (42) is located in the zone occupied by the boot while the side spades (4 a, 4 b) are directed towards the front (AV).

Note that the passage of the brake (4) from the retracted position to the braking position (PF) is done through an elastic device (28) which is associated with it. This device (28) includes a sliding piece (28 a) biased by an elastic system such as a spring (28 b), such as for example a traction spring as shown. The sliding piece (28 a) is housed in a longitudinal central groove (29) defined in the center of the base plate to be at its rear end (30) connected to a rod (32) via of a pivot pin (33), and by its end front connected to the traction spring (28 b) retained at the end of the base plate. It should be noted that the rod (32) which is connected by one of its ends to the sliding piece (28 a) by the pivot pin (33) and by the other end connected to the pedal (42) by one other pivot pin (34). Thus the sliding piece (28 a) when it is not locked in displacement, is urged forward (AV) driving the displacement of the lower part of the rod (32), which causes the implementation the braking position (PF) of the brake as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.

The locking of the brake (4) in its retracted position (PE) is realized by cooperation with the jaws (4 a, 4 b) with a locking protrusion (28 c) on the sliding part which extends upwards and which includes a stop wall (28 d). But more precisely the locking projection (28 c) interconnects the sliding piece cooperatively with operating arms (9 a, 9 b) and especially with the piston ends (12 a, 12b) of each of these arms.

It is understood that the entry and pressure of the boot on the pedal (42), during the passage from the release position (P2) to the engaging position (P1), the rod (32) moves the sliding piece (28) rearward (AR), and at the same time the end piston (12 a, 12 b) are moved downward (BA) and come to rest in front of the central projection (28 c) engaging the stop, which places the brake in the retracted position and the retains it locked in this position. Of course the protrusion (28 c) which is integral and centrally located could be any other shape, such as for example implemented in the form of two lateral protrusions symmetric to the plane (P).

It should be noted that the side spades (4 a, 4 b) are oriented towards the front which allows a complete braking of the ski.

Additionally the brake (4) comprehends other ways to retract, known to return the spades toward to the plane of symmetry (P), and in their retracted position. These means include cooperation a system of ramps (43 a, 43 b) with brake pedal branches (41 a, 41 b), the guide ramps towards the interior of the ski being realized on the base plate (27).

Note that the support plate (6) includes openings (40) intended to retain a removable style of blades (50) necessary to the progression uphill under certain conditions of snow or ice. These openings are arranged in an area between the jaws and the brake pedal, which allows a perfect compatibility of the brake and blades. The blades (50) include a central space (51) to receive the pedal (42) of the brake (4) as shown in FIG. 20.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and represented as an example, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combination.

For example the support plate (6) and the base plate (27), which are two independent parts may constitute a single piece, which would be a base plate. Of course the binding (1) is fixed on the top surface of the ski by a set of screws, as it is done traditionally.

Note also the resilient element (28 b) in FIGS. 1 to 14 for the sliding piece (28 a) is an traction spring, but it could be otherwise. According to the variant shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, it makes use of compression springs, in this case two compression springs (28′b, 28″b) disposed laterally on either side of the plane of general symmetry (P). For this purpose the sliding part of the brake is constituted by a sliding plate (28′a). This sliding part is moved forward (AV) during the closure of the brake.

Also the sliding piece (28 a) of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 14, could be constituted by two parallel sliding rods (28″a, 28″′a) as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, each comprising one locking protrusion (28′c, 28″c) extending upwards to cooperate with the corresponding end pistons (12 a, 12 b) and stops against the latter as shown in

FIG. 18. In this variant, the locking protrusions are mounted on elastic slides (28 ″, 28″′) to allow the elastic displacement towards the rear of the protrusions during their passage under the end pistons during the closing phase of the jaws and of the brake. The lower parts of the pistons are sloped to interact with the locking protrusions retracting downward.

Additionally in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 14, locking of the sliding part (28 a) which holds the brake in its retracted position is done through direct stopping of the end pistons (12 a, 12 b) against the stop wall (28) of the sliding part (28 a). But it could be otherwise as for example according to the solution shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, according to which the end pistons (12 a, 12 b) cooperate indirectly with the locking stop of the sliding part through an elastic lamina (45). Thus, the end pistons (12 a, 12 b) push down an elastic lamina (45) which cooperates with the locking protrusion (28) to ensure the maintenance of the brake in its retracted position. The elastic lamina also allows the passage of the locking protrusion under the end pistons, even if these were already lowered. This allows free choice of the materials for making the end pistons, thus minimizing potential wear problems. It should be noted also the jaws can be closed even when the brake pedal is not yet activated.

It should also be noted that one will not depart from the framework of the invention if it is the lever (18) and more specifically jaw (25) carried by the rear control arm (18 a) come to but up against the stop wall (28) of the sliding part (28 a) as is shown in FIG. 19, to ensure the maintenance of the brake in its retracted position.

According the illustrated exemplary embodiment, it is the jaws which include the projections (10 a, 10 b) while it is the boot which includes receiver (100), but it could be otherwise. Also the jaws could include the receiver (100) and boot (10 a, 10 b) the projections.

According to the illustrations all of the elements are disposed symmetrically about the vertical plane (P) of general symmetry, but it could be otherwise, as well as in relation to their geometry.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. A binding to hold a ski boot to a ski, comprising two lateral jaws disposed substantially face to face laterally, each of the jaws pivotally mounted about a longitudinal axis to have at least two positions, a retaining position to retain the boot and a liberated position, the jaws cooperate with side areas of the boot in the retaining position, in order to define a transverse pivot axis of the boot, a transverse vertical plane passing through the axis defining a front zone, and a rear zone, such that the ski brake is pivotally mounted around a transverse axis to assume the two positions, including a brake position, and a retracted position, the pivot axis of the brake being located in the rear zone.
 2. The binding according to the claim 1, wherein the brake includes a pedal operated by the boot such that a locking protrusion maintains the brake in its retracted position.
 3. The binding according to the claim 2, wherein each of the jaws is in the form of a right angle pivot, including a retaining arm extending upwards and an operating arm, extending substantially horizontally.
 4. The binding according to claim 3, wherein movement of the brake from the retracted position to the braking position is done through an elastic device associated with a sliding piece.
 5. The binding according to claim 4, wherein the sliding piece, is connected to the brake and includes at least a locking protrusion cooperating in the boot retaining position with the operating arm, in order to lock the brake in its retracted position.
 6. The binding according to claim 5, wherein the locking protrusion cooperates with an end piston of each of the operating arms.
 7. The binding according to claim 4, wherein a lever cooperates with the locking stop of the sliding piece to maintain the brake in its retracted position.
 8. The binding according to claim 7, wherein the jaw is supported by the rear control arm which buts up against the locking stop of the sliding piece.
 9. The binding according to claim 5, wherein the brake is mounted in an articulated manner on a base plate and wherein the pedal is connected to the sliding piece by a connecting rod.
 10. The binding according to claim 5, wherein the sliding piece is lodged in a longitudinal central groove defined in the center of the base plate.
 11. The binding according to claim 5, wherein a rear end of the sliding piece is connected to the rod through a pivot pin, and a front end is connected to a spring which is connected to the base plate.
 12. The binding according to claim 9, wherein the rod is connected by one of its ends to the sliding piece by a pivot pin and is connected by its other end to the pedal by another pivot pin.
 13. The binding according to claim 5, wherein the locking of the sliding piece is accomplished indirectly by an elastic lamina.
 14. A ski binding comprising: at least one plate; two jaws pivotally connected to the plate along first and second longitudinal pivot axes, the jaws pivoting between a retaining position in which the jaws engage and pivotally retain a front portion of a ski boot about a transverse pivot axis and a liberated position in which the ski boot is released; at least one braking element pivotally mounted to the plate to pivot around a rearward transverse pivot access between a braking position in which the braking elements extend below a lower surface of a ski to which the binding is attached and a retracted position; and a mechanism connected with the plate which locks the braking element in the retracted position in response to the jaws assuming the retaining position and which moves the braking element to the braking position in response to the jaws assuming the liberated position.
 15. A ski binding according to claim 14, wherein the mechanism includes: a pedal connected with the braking element to be engaged by a heel of the boot as the boot is received in the binding moving the braking element to the retracted position; a sliding piece connected to the pedal to slide toward a forward position as the boot is received; a biasing element which biases the sliding piece rearward; and a locking assembly connected with the jaws and the sliding piece to lock the sliding piece in the forward position, when the jaws are in the retaining position and release the sliding piece to move rearward when the jaws assume the liberated position. 